I am looking to get my first espresso machine. I want something with programming options. Which lead me to the fellow espresso series one. The programming and price was very enticing. I was willing to wait since it planned to be released this year. I was going to see some reviews and if they were positive pull the trigger on one before the year end. They now have delayed it until March. I started thinking should I just save a bit more and get something like a rocket R58, Lelit Bianca V3, decent espresso or something similar. Should I wait until March for a gamble of a new machine with a ton of features, or spend more on something that is tried true?
by EJW_0525
20 Comments
Absolutely go for a something a bit nicer. Fellow makes great products but if you’re buying a machine that should last 15+ years you don’t want something made primarily of plastic.
I’ve got an R58 and it’s a workhorse. Bianca is a great option too. Decent is the way to go if you want customization. If you want to save up even a little bit more the Rocket Bicocca looks incredible.
Decent espresso will be better than that fellow machine can ever hope to be. Fellows technical quality is quite bad. They get away with it by looking good.
Lance Hedrick has a first impressions video up on his Youtube. For the money, this certainly wouldn’t be my pick. But then again the audience on this sub I doubt finds value in programmable buttons.
I wouldn’t spend that much on a new machine without a track record. There are many well established and reliable options at that price point. I would also stick with companies who provide parts and support right to repair.
Decent DE1Pro/XL.
So the temperature sensor on the wand is definitely something I haven’t seen before: I would be concerned with accidentally touching the sensor against hot metal, stopping flow of steam. Auto-purging of steam wand when it’s in down position is not necessarily something I would want.
Pre-infusion / pressure / flow-rate profiling exists in (pricier) machines like the VBM domobar super: [https://vbmespresso.com/en/professional-coffee-machines/home/domobar-super/](https://vbmespresso.com/en/professional-coffee-machines/home/domobar-super/)
Real volumetric control over water is impossible when machine is choking, but I suppose reducing pressure during high flow can be useful.
The grouphead design is confusing to me; I’m not sure how it backflushes, but looks like backflush disk is included.
The fellow machine has a single boiler combined with a thermoblock, but I think I still prefer a dual boiler design. I’m not concerned with heatup time. I don’t understand how the steam wand can maintain separate temperature / pressure from the grouphead.
I haven’t looked into the machine enough to know if faulty electronics could block usage of the machine, but I hope not.
At its price point, the Fellow Espresso Series 1 looks good, but only time will tell. For a 3500 budget, there are better machines.
It’s probably gonna be made out of plastic everything on the outside and not really feel very high quality for its price point. Lots of better options out there
The thing to me about the Series One is that if you get past the flashy temp sensors and volume control stuff, past the nice looking plastic and look at the boiler, their patent on the “innovative design” is..basically the Breville/Sage ThermoJet.
Like, at it’s core, yeah it has a lot of tech to help you make better espresso, but the reality of it all is that the machine is just pushing water at ~9 Bar through coffee. Someone like James Hoffman with a Bambino Plus will still be able to make a better shot than 99% of people with the Series One.
Because I make terrible financial choices – I’m also into photography. The fact of the matter is that you can buy a $7500 Hassleblad body and $10k in lenses…but you’re still gonna feel humbled by Pulitzer Prize winning photos.
Spend $2500 on the setup and $1000 on becoming a god-level barista. You’ll be better.
Just look at the Aiden’s track record.
Get a Decent.
I preordered the ES1, and ended up cancelling it. Bought a Profitec Move instead.
I cancelled because I read [a thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/FellowProducts/s/XGtsKgXffF) on r/Fellowproducts about the Aiden app and software updates. In a nutshell, the Aiden coffee makers get bricked by issues with software updates, and the app is finicky as hell. If the machine software isn’t working, or if the app isn’t working, the Aiden is useless. The Aiden and ES1 will share software and app architecture. I refuse to buy a machine that has poor technical support and cannot be used if the software is acting up.
So I cancelled and bought a fantastic machine. I’m very happy with the decision.
Damn, March now?
Have you thought about what espresso capable grinder you’re going with yet?
If it’s to have plastic, you might as well buy a stilosa
If you are looking at this, you probably would love the Decent. I adore my Lelit Bianca and consider it an essentially perfect machine. The only thing it’s lacking is the top level of luxury materials (you wouldn’t shave in the reflection of the panels). But, the ECM Synchronika II with the pressure profiling add-on gets you absolutely everything if you want that last bit of build quality.
I have their grinder, Fellow Opus. Wouldn’t buy any other product from them. The quality is just bad.
If you haven’t already, please check out the WPM Primus (WPM KD-360x in certain markets).
Small footprint machine with programmable and manual flow profiling, gear pump with boiler + thermo block for brew, vibratory pump with thermo block for steam; this means you can pull shots and steam at the same time.
In terms of support, they have resolved an issue in what I feel is a very satisfactory way with Australian customers (which I am one of). In short, the initial machines shipped with a 15 amp rating and 15 amp plug, when most customers were expecting 10 amp rating and plug (15 amp wiring / sockets are uncommon in homes). The response was either a full refund, accept the 15 amp machine with a $300 discount, or wait for a special run of machines rated at 10 amps with recertification expected 1st week of November (option I took).
You can read the discussions around the issue, and the resolution, as well as some early feedback from users who have chosen to take the 15 amp machines here: https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equipment/brewing-equipment-midrange-500-1500/1014767-wpm-primus/page7
I would personally cancel it. The main issue I have with it is it is designed to be disposable. They don’t want it to be opened up, they don’t want maintenance done on it. As soon as it breaks and you are out of warranty… good luck!
Look up Maro model 1 maybe
Looks like a nightmare in design once you start using it! I think
I would buy a Nurri R-Type DBR or SB depends on your budget and if you often make cappuccinos. Into my opinion it’s the best option under 3000$. I have a Bianca V3 and LM Micra. I could tryout the Nurri sometimes and it’s the best choice between booth and cheaper.